Shri Jayant Chaudhary Visits France to Cheer for Team India at WorldSkills 2024; 60 Participants Competing in 52 Skills

• Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, GoI, attends WorldSkills 2024 held in Lyon, France

• The 60-member Team India walked with confidence at the Parade of the Nations during the opening ceremony of the WorldSkills 2024

• The competitors are competing against the world’s best and most skilled talent from 70 nations in 52 skills

The 47th WorldSkills Competition was officially inaugurated on 10^th September 2024 by French President Emmanuel Macron at a grand opening ceremony held at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship also graced the ceremony, meeting the young participants comprising Team India, to boost their confidence.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary in Lyon, France cheering for Team India at WorldSkills 2024 Opening Ceremony

With over 13,000 attendees from across the globe, Team India made a remarkable impression at the WorldSkills 2024 competition, standing out with their distinct ceremonial attire that showcased the nations rich cultural heritage, exquisite craftsmanship, and sartorial elegance. The competitors are competing in skills like- 3D Digital Game Art, Additive Manufacturing, Autobody Repair, Chemical Lab Technology, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Digital Construction, Fashion Technology, Graphic Design, Industry 4.0, Health and social care, Mechanical Engineering CAD, Robot System, Water Technology, Welding, Bricklaying, Plastering, Patisserie, Bakery, Hospitality Services, and many more.

WorldSkills is a platform not just for competition but for sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and fostering unity. The year 2024 is a momentous one for France, as it plays host to the Olympics, Paralympics, and now, the prestigious WorldSkills competition. None of which would have been possible without skills.

At this global skills platform and meeting the team, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, MoS (I/C), MSDE said, “Our 60 young champions from Team India, competing in 52 skills, are not merely participants but will serve as change makers, leading the way to a future shaped by skill, innovation and determination. Watching them live, marching with pride on this global stage, gave me a glimpse of how special these moments are for the young boys and girls competing and representing India.”

Led by flagbearer Shreyansh Sharma from Jaipur, Rajasthan, who will compete in the Chemical Laboratory Technology skill category, the 60-member Indian contingent made a striking entrance during the Parade of Nations.

The competitors were elated to meet the Minister in France, drawing immense motivation from the interaction, which strengthened their resolve to represent India with pride and excellence at the global stage and win medals for the country.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary shares insightful thoughts on WorldSkills, Lyon 2024

Watch WorldSkills, Lyon 2024: www.youtube.com/watchv=4uOrJRSF6JU

Shweta Ratanpura, Bronze Medalist in Graphic Design Technology at WorldSkills Kazan 2019, has been nominated as the new WorldSkills Champions Trust Representative from Asia for 2024. She had the privilege of a one-on-one meeting with the Minister and also addressed the audience on the global stage, representing India with pride and passion.

The Indian teams participation aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of making India a global hub for skilled talent. Furthermore, the presence of the Honourable Minister underscores the governments commitment to promoting skill development and supporting nations young talent at the global stage.

Interestingly, this year in the Indian contingent, women will be seen competing in traditionally male-dominated fields such as Welding, Plumbing and Heating, Logistics & Freight Forwarding, underscoring the changing face of Indias workforce, amongst the youngest in the world and a pointer to the gender demographic upside, that the country can reap if it invests gainfully in skilling its young population.

The WorldSkills 2024 competition, often referred to as the “Olympics of Skills,” will run from September 10-15 at Euroexpo Lyon, France. Over 1,400 competitors from more than 70 countries will compete with 1,300 experts and an expected attendance of over 2,50,000 participants.